Busan City overhauls website, pilots AI citizen assistant

[Financial News] Busan City has overhauled its website to mark the 100th day since the launch of its ninth popularly elected administration. The revamp focuses on making it easier and more convenient for all citizens to find and use the policies and benefits they need.
The city said on the 7th that it had redesigned the main page of its official website and would pilot an AI citizen assistant powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI).
The website has moved away from its previous image- and video-focused design to a content-centered, three-column layout that lets citizens see the information they need at a glance.
Key services selected based on analysis of how often citizens use them—including childcare, youth services, 50+, small businesses and public facilities—have been placed on the left for quick access with a single click.
A central banner has been designed to let users see at a glance important news they need to know, including key policies and events.
The right side displays the latest notices and press releases, as well as content from the city’s official social media accounts, in real time, allowing users to quickly receive up-to-date news about city administration.
The city is also beginning, that day, a pilot of its generative AI-powered chatbot service, the AI Citizen Assistant, which responds to citizens’ diverse questions 24 hours a day. The service offers two voice options for Boogi, the city’s communication mascot—one in standard Korean and one in the Busan dialect—making it more familiar to citizens.
The city plans to analyze usage patterns and the types of questions citizens ask during the pilot period, with full operations scheduled to begin in the first half of next year.
The city will also gradually expand its “Large Text” service for older adults and economically vulnerable groups, as well as its “Plain Language” service, which explains difficult policy and administrative terms in easy-to-understand language. It also plans to continue expanding the use of infographics that let users see various welfare policies and application procedures at a glance.
Mayor Jeon Jae-su said, “We have completely redesigned the website as a citizen-centered digital communications channel so that citizens can access and benefit from the city’s key policies and benefits more easily and quickly,” adding, “We will build a friendly and transparent digital administration so that everyone can conveniently access the information and benefits they need.”
[email protected] Kwon Byeong-seok Reporter